Alloys and their properties: past paper questions
Real questions on alloys and their properties
The newest 20 of 43 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 0620/32 · May/June 2026 · Q6f(i)[1]
State the meaning of the term alloy.
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2026 · Q8a(i)[1]
Give one reason why alloys are more useful than pure metals.
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2026 · Q8a(ii)[2]
Brass is an alloy. and Name the two metals in brass.
See it on the paper → - 0620/42 · May/June 2026 · Q4d(i)[1]
Name the alloy which is made by mixing copper with zinc.
See it on the paper → - 0620/42 · May/June 2026 · Q4d(ii)[2]
Mixing chromium and nickel with iron and a non‑metallic element makes a type of steel. type of steel Name this type of steel and the non‑metallic element used.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · February/March 2026 · Q1h[1]
is found in brass
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(i)[2]
State what is meant by the term alloy. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(ii)[1]
Brass is an alloy that contains zinc. Name the other metal in brass.
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(iii)[2]
Suggest two reasons why brass is used to make water taps rather than pure zinc.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · May/June 2025 · Q6c(i)[1]
State the name given to a mixture of metals such as brass.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · May/June 2025 · Q6c(ii)[2]
Name the two metals in brass. and
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2025 · Q8c(i)[1]
State which one of these diagrams, A, B, C or D, best represents an alloy. A B C D
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · May/June 2025 · Q8c(ii)[1]
Suggest one property of pewter that makes it more useful than pure tin.
See it on the paper → - 0620/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(i)[1]
State one reason why alloys are more useful than pure metals. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0620/41 · May/June 2025 · Q3b(ii)[1]
Name the substance that is present in brass, other than copper.
See it on the paper → - 0620/42 · May/June 2025 · Q4b[1]
Chromium can be mixed with nickel and other elements to form stainless steel. Name the type of substance formed when a metal is mixed with other elements.
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · February/March 2025 · Q2c(i)[1]
Describe what is meant by the term alloy. (i)
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · February/March 2025 · Q2c(ii)[2]
Name the two metals in brass. and
See it on the paper → - 0620/32 · February/March 2025 · Q2c(iii)[1]
Give one use for stainless steel.
See it on the paper → - 0620/33 · October/November 2024 · Q1a(i)[1]
is in brass
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates knew that zinc is found in brass.
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 0620/32 Q1(h) (Cambridge)
Most candidates could name one of the correct metals in this question. This was usually copper. However, the second metal caused more problems. Lots of different metals and compounds were seen especially aluminium, steel, iron and tin.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0620/32 Q6(c)(ii) (Cambridge)
Candidates struggled on this question. There were very few correct answers seen. ‘High melting point’ or ‘conducts electricity’ were the most common incorrect answers.
— Examiner report, May/June 2025, 0620/33 Q8(c)(ii) (Cambridge)
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